euth - 2.‘natural law is the best approach to the issue of euthanasia’. Discuss

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

• Natural law uses the four tiers of law to help make decisions
• From a Roman Catholic perspective
• Would say euthanasia is not allowed
• This is not the best approach

Question 2

paragraph 1

Answer 2

• Aquinas natural law is committed to the sanctity of life
• Life is valuable as it is God given and therefore the quality does not matter
• Avoids a slippery slope as euthanasia could make life less significant
• NOT A SUCCESSFUL ARGUMENT dependent on a Christian belief – not considerate of everyone and assumes that everyone should be christian
• Live in a secular society it does not work

Question 3

paragraph 2

Answer 3

• More successful view could be situation ethics
• Focuses on the use of agape as the one rule
• Therefore, the most loving thing to do may be to euthanise someone
• HOWEVER, this can be seen as too subjective in a matter as big and important as euthanasia

Question 4

paragraph 3

Answer 4

• ON THE OTHER HAND, can be argued that the alternative (natural law) is too legalistic and absolutist
• Each situation is different but natural law says that there must be a common approach
• This common approach means that people have to live in extreme pain for there whole life
• Utilitarian – reduction of pain needs to be met
• Rejection of quality of life removes the weight of human autonomy

Question 5

conclusion

Answer 5

• Natural law is not the best approach
• It does not consider the person and removes people’s autonomy
• A better alternative could be using situation ethics where the person is at the front of all decisions and actions made